Foreword: This year's non-flagship cameras have improved, but the progress has not been big enough
Some time ago, we pointed out in the relevant content that with the advent of a batch of "non-flagship machines" in 2022, it can be clearly seen that compared with similar products in the past two years, these models have generally made some progress in image configuration and parameters this year.
For example, in the CMOS specification, many non-flagship machines that have been released this year have abandoned the earliest 48 million pixel solution and begun to upgrade to 64 million pixels in a large area. At the same time, there are even some non-flagship and mid-range models that use the IMX766, which is equivalent to the top flagship level two years ago, with features such as 50 million pixels and a full-pixel focus design in the main camera scheme (although as a price, such models tend to be quite "cost-controlled" in terms of secondary camera).
For example, in terms of image function, in 2022, more and more non-flagship machines have begun to equip the main camera unit with optical image stabilization mechanism, which has indeed brought about a significant improvement in imaging quality, especially the imaging quality of low-light environments. At the same time, some of this year's non-flagship machines have also made significant progress in macro effects, whether it is a model with a "standalone macro lens" or a model that uses an ultra-wide-angle/macro two-in-one lens, the improvement in focus distance and imaging sharpness is visible to the naked eye.
Obviously, these advances all mean that if you buy these non-flagships in 2022, they will generally be able to provide a better imaging experience than their predecessors. But we must point out that on the one hand, this seemingly huge progress is based on the premise that there has been almost no breakthrough in the level of "non-flagship" image design in the past two years or so. On the other hand, even the few non-flagship machines that are currently known to have equaled the old flagship in individual parameters are only following the design of the old model from a few years ago, and indeed there is no real technological innovation.
So the question is, for the "non-flagship machines", are they not more sincere and powerful image part upgrades? In fact, there are, but this matter may be more embarrassing to talk about in detail.
Non-flagship machines will usher in the era of "pixel expansion", and a number of new CMOS are on the way
At the end of March this year, Realme released the preview information of the new realme 9 series machine in overseas markets. In the official promotional materials, there are a number of posters related to the "Samsung HM6" CMOS.
Obviously, this "Samsung HM6" that has not yet been released is one of the selling points of the new realme machine. From some of the information currently circulating, it can be known that the HM6 has the high probability of continuing the product positioning and basic design of the previous Samsung HM2, but it is equipped with an improved "NonaPixel Plus" (that is, 9-pixel 1) technology, which increases the night scene sensitivity by 123%.
HM2's "non-flagship",100 million pixel solution is actually relatively general in terms of image quality
What is this concept? In simple terms, HM6 will most likely use the same 1/1.56-inch, 0.7μm small pixel design as HM2. Considering that Samsung has now mastered the process of smaller pixels, it may even become more "mini". Then, through the enhancement of the multi-pixel integration algorithm function, the image performance can be improved in specific scenes.
In other words, although the HM6 is nominally the latest member of Samsung's 108-megapixel CMOS family, it is likely to become a "non-flagship machine exclusive" like the previous generation of HM2, and will not be equipped with those true image high-end models.
And that's not all, also in March this year, another CMOS model with a larger pixel "digital" was exposed on social media. It has up to 194 million pixels, but at the same time the CMOS size is also said to be only 1/1.5 inch.
This means that such a nearly 200 million pixel CMOS, in fact, the entire sensor's light sensing area is not much larger than the current latest non-flagship main camera CMOS (1/1.56 inch). At the same time, it can also be "stuffed" into those two or three thousand yuan models, without the need for a special customized oversized lens, or an ultra-thick camera module.
Of course, whether it is the new 108 million pixel HM6, or the new 196 million pixel, model unknown medium-size CMOS solution, they surpass the existing mid-range, mid-to-low-end models used in the 48 million pixels, 64 million pixels, and early 50 million pixel solutions in terms of technical level and imaging quality, basically there will be no difficulty. That is to say, as soon as the middle to the second half of this year, we can see that the mid-range, or even the low-end models, have made another obvious progress in the image experience.
But don't be happy, after all, it is well known that "progress" is actually a relative concept. If it is only compared with the same level of products in the past, then whether it is an entry-level machine, or a low-end or mid-range product, they will definitely continue to improve the configuration over time. But if we compare it to the upcoming innovations in imaging technology for those top flagships, it's a bit unpleasant.
The flagship machine continues to "polish" 50 megapixels, but the picture quality may have made great progress
Unlike non-flagship models, which generally carry out "pixel upgrades", for top flagship models, at least so far, various public information indicates that they will still "stay" in the 50 million pixel gear in the second half of this year.
However, it is said that it is "left behind", in fact, for such products, the new CMOS they will be replaced with will basically have a rebirth and evolution in addition to the number of pixels remaining unchanged.
Suspected IMX866 debut model spy photos
First of all, it is the most "basic" IMX866. It can also be seen from the name that the IMX866 is the evolved model of the IMX766 that has now been "delegated" to many non-flagship machines in terms of product positioning. However, in terms of architecture, it has almost nothing to do with IMX766.
This is because, on the one hand, the size of the IMX866 has increased to 1/1.49 inch, and its pixel size is significantly larger than that of the 1/1.56-inch IMX766, and the physical light intake itself has been enhanced. The IMX866, on the other hand, will be in a 50-megapixel RGBW arrangement instead of the RGGB layout of the IMX766. The newly designed W-white subpixels independently perceive light intensity (rather than color) information, resulting in higher equivalent sensitivity, more significant improvement in night scenes, and imaging effects in backlit scenes. It can be said that in addition to the name connection, the new IMX866 completely opens up the gap with the previous generation (IMX766).
Of course, the 2022 flagship camera imaging solution is not only IMX866. On the Xiaomi Mi 12 Pro that has been released, it is equipped with a 1/1.28-inch, 50-megapixel IMX707, which has an ultra-high-speed focusing and focus-chasing ability that is undoubtedly impressive; and on the Honor Magic4 to the best version, the 1/1.12-inch, 50-megapixel super-bottom GN2 is also reproduced; not to mention that all kinds of information show that the second half of this year may also usher in a 1-inch 50 million pixel super flagship IMX800, as well as "more complex structure" The IMX900 family.
Obviously, the main camera used by all these top flagship models actually has some common features. That is, they do not blindly pursue the nominal "high pixel", but generally maintain a pixel level of about 50 million. At the same time, compared with those CMOS solutions with lower positioning, the physical size of the flagship CMOS is significantly larger under the premise of "the same number of pixels or lower", which makes them achieve much better light sensitivity, and most of them have (rare on flagship aircraft) full-pixel focusing and multi-directional focusing capabilities.
Non-flagships and flagships have their own development directions, but this is not a good thing
In general, if all the existing relevant information is true, then it means that as soon as the middle or second half of 2022, whether it is a non-flagship machine or a flagship machine, it is expected to usher in a round of significant progress in image design.
But what is particularly interesting about this is that there is likely to be a clear divergence between the direction of the "progress" of the image of non-flagship machines and flagship machines. Non-flagship opportunities give more priority to the use of the main high-pixel solution, which is easier for ordinary consumers to remember in terms of publicity, but the disadvantages of its CMOS size is relatively small and the focus structure is relatively simple, but it will not change.
The photo effect of the "low-pixel" true flagship machine is far from being comparable to the "high-pixel" non-flagship model, and the gap may be widening
In contrast, although flagship machines continue to "stick" to 50 million pixels (or 0.5 billion pixels) on the surface, they will have new sensors of larger size, will prioritize the use of new photosensitive architectures, and will also have such things as stronger focus performance, better focusing performance, faster continuous shooting speed, etc., which may not be visible in publicity, but will be obvious in experience and picture quality advantages.
So, is this a good thing? Obviously, for the consumer group of non-flagship machines, the "fork" of this image design concept is by no means a good thing. Because this means that in the future, it will be more and more difficult for us to see the case of "high-end CMOS eliminated by the old flagship being adopted by new low-end models". In contrast, there will be more non-flagship machines to pursue ultra-high pixel solutions that may not be so practical, and at the same time, the gap with the real high-end products will be widening in the actual image experience.
However, if you delve into the reasons for this phenomenon, you have to admit that the reason for this result is actually due to the manufacturer's deep insight into the needs of users. To put it bluntly, for some models, they must strictly control the cost (price), but also have to make consumers who do not understand technology can also "see at a glance" parameter progress; for other products, they have a much more generous budget, and the target consumer group itself will pay more attention to the practicality of professional image creation scenes.
After all, "demand determines supply" is a truth at all times, only this time it may be revealed in a more brutal way.
【The picture of this article comes from the network】